5 Books to Read This Summer

The days are slowing counting down to summer. That means we'll want to listen to music on loud, hang out on the beach with a chilled drink and try your hardest to get a tan, and celebrate most weekends with garden parties and barbeques. And possibly getting drunk, if you're of age.

However, like most people, you struggle on which books to take on holiday with you. Summery books are not hard to find, but books that put you in the mood are definitely hard to come by. So here are 5 books that I completely recommend!

Simon VS the Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

This is a very sweet, quick read about a boy, Simon who's emailing some guy from her school called Blue. However, a guy gets hand of it and blackmails Simon into helping him, if not then his secret will be exposed. As a gay teenager, myself I truly felt that Becky did a very good job at portraying not only a realistic gay relationship, but also at portraying a realistic blackmailing situation.


The Selection by Kiera Cass // Review //

Not everyone wants a contemporary in the summer, so why not go for a book that's basically The Bachelor set in a slightly Dystopian setting. It's fun, flirty and will have you falling heads over heels for Prince Maxon.


A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas // Review //

This book was so freaking good, I simply ate it up! It's a YA Fantasy re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, where our main protagonist, Feyre kills a wolf and ends up having to repay for her crime by staying at the manor of a Beast. An incredibly charming beast.


Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell // Review //

Okay, so no one really wants to read about school (College in this situation) during the summer, but Fangirl is the ultimate read. It will have you gushing not only after Cath and Levi, but her fan fiction relationship of Simon and Baz. I wish my life were as cute as Caths.


All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

I wanted a New Adult book in this list since not everyone is a fan of YA, so I opted for All Lined Up. It's the first book in the Rusk University series and follows a Football hating girl called Dallas, who meets a football player called Carson. The problem? She's the coaches daughter and he's on the football team.




What books would you recommend people read in the summer?
Let me know in the comments.

Q&A with Author Sophie Jackson

So today I am so happy to be interviewing Sophie Jackson, author of A Pound of Flesh (REVIEW HERE). I absolutely loved this book, so was super excited when I was invited to be a part of the A Pound of Flesh Blog Tour.

SYNOPSIS

For Kat Lane, teaching inmates at a New York prison is her way of upholding the legacy of her beloved father, murdered fifteen years ago. But when new student Wes Carter walks into her classroom, she's shaken by the strength of her attraction to him. Carter is as handsome as he is dangerous, as mysterious as he is quick-witted - and he ensures people keep their distance. Yet vibrant Kat bypasses his defences and challenges him to reveal the real man behind the intimidating reputation. As their emotional barriers crumble, their inescapable but forbidden feelings cannot be ignored. But will Kat's discovery of Carter's role on the night her father died force them apart...or bind their hearts for ever?

Question 1. What is A Pound of Flesh about?

 

A Pound of Flesh is about redemption, love, and not judging a book by its cover. Kat Lane witnessed the murder of her father when she was nine years old and, as a way of upholding a promise she made to him, becomes a teacher in a prison. There she meets Wes Carter, an arrogant inmate who challenges her in more ways than one.  The book follows their relationship as tutor and student and how they deal with prejudice, threats to said relationship and a dangerous history neither of them realise they had.

 

 

Question 2 -  A Pound of Flesh was originally a Twilight fan fiction, What made you want to write about Bella and Edward in different situations?

 

When I read the Twilight series I became obsessed with wanting to learn more about Edward and Bella; there could have been twenty books in the series and I would have felt the same – I just loved the characters so much.

 

Seeing Edward and Bella in different scenarios was exciting and different. It was so much fun reading about Edward as a human, as a fireman, or a dancer, etc. and falling in love with the relationship he formed with Bella all over again. I read a tonne of awesome fics and they all inspired me to have a go, too.

 

 

Question 3 - You posted your fan fictions online, what was it like getting good comments from online readers?

 

It was amazing. The fandom is an amazing place and I've made some wonderful lifelong friends. The reviews – for the most part – were honest, constructive and enthusiastic. The beauty of the way Fanfiction works is that the feedback is immediate. It only takes the time it takes for someone to read your chapter to receive a review and that’s invaluable to any writer. My readers’ opinions certainly helped shape my writing, my characters, and plots. I'll always be thankful to them for helping me grow as a writer.

 

 

Question 4 - Do you have any advice for people who would like to upload their work online (Onto Wattpad, Fanfiction.net, etc)

 

Do it! It’s an amazing experience. The feedback is instant, it’s easy to use, and you have an on tap readership who will be honest in what they think, which certainly prepares you for any reviews you may get if you choose to publish later down the line. It helps writers improve and gives a great insight into what people are reading, what turns them on and what they want more of. It’s a great resource that more writers should use.

 

 

Question 5 - Did you learn anything from writing your book/s and what was it?

 

Editing was probably the biggest learning curve for me. APoF was 500,000 words as a fic, and it was impossible to spilt cleanly, so I spent 18 months editing it down for publishing. I learned very quickly that I had to be ruthless. I've definitely learned how not to be precious about my work in that regard. I had to delete scenes that I loved because they slowed the whole story down and didn't add anything. It’s really helped me in writing the rest of the series. I’m more aware of pace and writing scenes for purpose not just as filler.

 

 

Question 6 - Carter is what I describe a hard-ass sweet heart. Who are some of your favourite fictional bad boys?

 

I have so many; I couldn't possible choose! I like a bad boy who is honest and straight talking, confident and a little bit dangerous. I like a bad boy who is naughty but loves with his whole heart. There are so many excellently written bad boy characters out there. It’s a really exciting time to be a writer and a reader!

 

 

Question 7 - What are you currently reading?

 

Nothing and it kills me. I'm too busy writing. The last book I read was Never Never Part Two by Colleen Hoover, which certainly has me intrigued. I’m looking forward to part three.

 

 

Question 8 - What authors inspired your works?

 

So many. There are numerous fanfic authors who inspired me to take the plunge into publishing by doing it themselves; it gave me the confidence to go for it, too. I love JoJo Moyes like it’s my job and John Green is a genius. I adore Colleen Hoover and read anything by J. R. Ward. All very different authors but all incredible.

 

 

Question 9 - New Adult is a fairly new genre, why should readers (who are hesitant) on starting it give it a shot?

 

NA fits beautifully between YA and more adult, more explicit works. It'’ a nice bridge between the two. I think people should give it a shot simply because the talent out there is amazing. The age range that NA covers is extremely broad, which ensures a reader could find something that’d appeal. 

 

 

Question 10 - If you were trapped on an island with only 1 object (or person) which would you choose:

 

. Your book A Pound of Flesh

 

. Edward Cullen (Or Robert Pattinson playing Edward Cullen, it's your pick) <------ DUH!!!!!

 

. A never ending laptop

 

 

Question 11 - Kiss, Marry, Kill?

 

. Edward Cullen - Kiss

 

. Wes Carter - Marry 

 

. Jacob Black - Kill 

 

 

Question 12 - Is there anything you'd like to say to your readers (both old and new)?

 

Thank you to everyone who's ever given APoF a chance; to those who’ve reviewed, messaged, tweeted, facebooked me, you’re all wonderful and you keep me going. I hope my old readers love the published version of APoF as much as the fic and, to my new readers, thanks for picking up my book; I hope you love it as much as I do.

 

 

Thank you so much Sophie for participating in my Q&A. And also thanks to the publishers, Headline Eternal who gave me this opportunity. I definitely recommend everyone buying a copy of A Pound of Flesh.

 

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

 

 

 

 

Want to check out the other blogs that took part in the blog tour?

 

 

Book Characters I'd Love to Drown | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday was created by GingerReadsLainey

 

 

 

Titus from Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott

 

Titus isn't a main or recurring character in Fire and Flood, but he does pop up in the last 100 pages. He's definitely the villain of the series. He abuses his Pandora's, well gets his minion's to do it for him, and he treats people like shit. He's definitely a character you wish you had a giant rock to smack him over the head with. But then again, he's in the game to save someone he loves and you have to do whatever you can to survive.

 

 

Adolf Hitler from Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

 

Who wouldn't kill of Adolf Hitler? He's the most known villain in world history and there's no doubt that I'd love to drown him and kill him off. However, in this book he's not exactly the ruler of Germany. He's on his way to being on top and is also in a secret relationship with a niece (It may be second cousin, not sure).

 

 

Four and Caleb from Divergent by Veronica Roth

 

You all probably think I'd say Eric and Jeanine, but honestly, they're my favourite characters in the series. However, Four and Caleb are just plain annoying, irritating characters that I could see myself stabbing over and over and over. It's a pity that they both never died....

 

 

Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Yeah, do I really have to explain this one? I hate the girl so much, and she's not even real. I just don't see how anyone can relate to her because she's boring. She has no personality and just comes across as stuck up and arrogant. It's sad she not got a spear to the heart during the Games.

 

 

Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter by J K Rowling

 

I thought she was horrible in the movie, but apparently she's even worse in the book (I've not read it yet, sadly). Wouldn't it be cool if all her kittens inside the plates could move out of them, grow a thousand feet and eat her alive?

 

 

 

 

Which fictional characters would you kill off?

Let me know in the comments

Mean Girls Book Tag

Tag created by thebooklife

 

1. "It’s pronounced like Cady” - Which fictional character’s names did you get completely wrong?

Chaol from Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. I'm pretty sure about 80% of the population who read the book pronounced his name wrong, and there is nothing wrong with that, because he will forever be known as Chaol (Pronounced like Kale) in my mind.


2. “She doesn’t even go here!” - Which character would you like to place in a fictional world from another book or series?

I'd love to see Alice (Ali) from Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter in the world of The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, because Ali kind of reminds me of Cassie, in fact they're a little more alike than they'd probably think. The only difference is that Ali goes with her instincts first.







3. “On Wednesdays we wear pink!” - Repetition. Repetition. Which book gave you dejavu of another book whilst reading it?

 

Lets be honest, Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Jennifer is known for using other series to inspire her own writing, but even without reading Twilight I could see a few similarities between these two. But I will say that I totally loved Obsidian and Onyx, I need to finish the rest of the series!

 

 

4. "You all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it okay for guys to call you sluts and whores." - Which book gave you the complete opposite of girl power feels? 

Katniss Everdeen. Please don't shoot me, I know a lot of you guys love her, but I just don't see how she's fierce and independent. I loved that she was loyal to the ones she loved, but that was it for me, sadly.

 

 

5. “You go Glen Coco!” - Name a character you felt like you wanted to cheer on whilst reading.

 

Kyra from The Taking by Kimberly Derting. From page 1, I was rooting for her, hoping she'd find the answers she so badly needed.

 

 

6. "Get in loser, we’re going shopping!” - How long do you typically spend at a book shop?

 

 

Well, I usually shop online since they're a lot cheaper. However, when I do go to my local book store (which happens to be over 40 minutes away via train) I tend to spend a bit of time in there.

 

 

 

 

7. “It’s not my fault you’re like in love with me or something!” - Which character would have to get out a restraining order on you, if they were real?

 

Hmm, I'm pretty sure I'd have to get a restraining order out on them because one look at me and they'll be obsessed. But, I'd have to say....ALLS OF THE BOYS!!

 

 

8. “I can’t help it that I’m popular.” - Which overhyped book were you cautious about reading?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. Everyone had hyped up the series, which I didn't mind because I loved the idea of the book, but when I started it back in October 2014, I found that I wasn't all too fussed on it. I read 40 pages and gave up. Then in November, I picked it up again and flew through it all and read the 2nd and 3rd book as well. The hype for the series is definitely well deserved! 


9. “She’s a life ruiner. She ruins peoples lives.” - We all love Regina George. Name a villain you couldn’t help but love.

I have quite a few but the one I truly love is Eric from Divergent. He was easily one of the worst characters in the first and second book, but with every scene he was present, my love for him grew. His death was easily the worst.


10. “I’m not like a regular Mom, I’m a cool Mom.” - Your favourite fictional parents. 

Arthur and Molly Weasley. How could anyone not love these parents? They're amazing, in fact I think they should adopt me!


11. “That is so Fetch!” - Which book or series would you love to catch on?

 

The Taking by Kimberly Derting. So far it has 3,000 ratings on Goodreads, but it deserves at it least 10x that.


12. “How do I even begin to explain Regina George?” - Describe your ideal character to read about.

Myself. I'd love to read a character that has an alter ego. Boy by day and Fishy Queen by night.


13. “I just have a lot of feelings.” - What do you do when a book gives you a bad case of ‘the feels'?

Awwwh *hugs oneself*



14. “Nice wig Janice, what’s it made of?” "Your Mom’s chest hair!” - Which characters one liners would you love to claim for your own?

"Taste the rainbows, Bitch!" Which was said by Jamie in the Mara Dyer trilogy.







15. “Boo, you whore.” - Name a time a characters decision has made you roll your eyes

Any decision Tris ever made. The bitch seriously got on my nerves.




If you would like to do the tag then feel free to do so.

Books I Read in One Sitting | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday was created by GingerReadsLainey

 

 

 

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Shiobhan Vivian

 

This book is 350 pages long and I read it within Two hours. It's a very fun, fast-paced read that tells the story of Three high school girls who are out for revenge on the people who have done them wrong. Despite being a YA Contemporary there is a hint of supernatural in the trilogy as well, which is very well done.

 

 

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

 

This is one of those books that capture your attention from the first page, not because it's amazingly well written, but because it's seriously entertaining and filled with drama. Abby and Travis' relationship is seriously intense!

 

 

Make You Mine by Macy Beckett

 

Back last year I had a serious case of a reading slump that lasted 3 entire months. In that time I read One book, and that was Make You Mine. I read it all within Four hours and I had such a fun time while reading it. It's definitely a unique take on the adult romance book.

 

 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 

I'm pretty sure everybody read this book in One entire sitting. The story hooks on to your heart and doesn't let go until the last page, when you then realise that you can't see anything out of your eyes because you're crying do damn hard. Or if you're like me, then you're throwing the book down onto the bed and crying into your pillow like you have no idea how to live. For Three WHOLE days!

 

 

Confess by Colleen Hoover

 

It was impossible not to read this book in One sitting. I was crying within Ten pages and wanted to know what was going to happen for Auburn, within 5 hours I had completed the book, placed it onto my shelf and continued sobbing my too-big-of-a-heart out. It's a heartbreaker that's for sure!

 

 

 

 

What books have you read in One sitting?

Let me know in the comments.

Books with Multiple POV's | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday was created by GingerReadsLainey

 

 

 

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

 

This book is actually very uniquely and confusedly told. We mainly follow our Heroine's POV, Cassie, however, the book is split up into different parts, so each part would sometimes start with a different POV. It definitely added depth into this world.

 

 

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhon Vivian

 

This story follows 3 separate girls whose lives intertwine as they all go out for revenge on the people who's hurt them the most. It's brilliant and vividly done.

 

 

Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios

 

A unique fantasy story about Jinni's. The story is a little confusing as we follow our main Heroine's POV, the POV of the Jinni who is after her, her masters and the guy who's come there for help. It's gorgeous written though.

 

 

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

 

This is mainly told in Diana's POV, but we do get some of the story from her possessive, Vampire husband Matthew. A gorgeous tale with magic and history weaved through each page.

 

 

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

 

This story follows 3 people. We get to know Lincoln through his story, but we get to know Jen and Beth through their hilarious emails. It's a wonderful story that reads like a movie.

 

 

 

 

What books have you read with multiple POV's?

Let me know in the comments.

ARC Review: A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson

Title: A Pound of Flesh
Author: Sophie Jackson
Genre: New Adult
Publisher: Headline Eternal
Published: June 9th 2015
Page Number: 448
Rating: 4.5/5

Summary:

Their love is forbidden. But won't be denied... Can true love heal the deepest scars?
For Kat Lane, teaching inmates at a New York prison is her way of upholding the legacy of her beloved father, murdered fifteen years ago. But when new student Wes Carter walks into her classroom, she's shaken by the strength of her attraction to him. Carter is as handsome as he is dangerous, as mysterious as he is quick-witted - and he ensures people keep their distance. Yet vibrant Kat bypasses his defences and challenges him to reveal the real man behind the intimidating reputation.

As their emotional barriers crumble, their inescapable but forbidden feelings cannot be ignored. But will Kat's discovery of Carter's role on the night her father died force them apart...or bind their hearts for ever?

REVIEW

I have to admit that I was more than hesitant on reading A Pound of Flesh. The story sounded interesting and definitely something that I was in the mood for, but the fact that it used to be a Twilight Fan Fiction through me completely off. I've not read Twilight, I don't plan on reading it either, but I have watched the first movie and hated it, so reading something based off something I didn't like didn't hold much appeal.

Until I read chapter 1.

The writing of the novel is not something that I'm used to in New Adult fiction, but I absolutely loved it. It flowed very well and you could tell that Sophie Jackson knew what she was doing, she was no stranger to writing. Her characters were so very well researched and fleshed out that I didn't feel like I was reading a book about them, but I felt like they were my friends, I was a little version of myself perched on top of their shoulders following them around everywhere.

Kat hasn't had an easy life, she witnessed her father getting murdered and her teaching was her way of doing something she loves as well as paying off her debt, her pound of flesh. Her character growth was....different, but her growth was nothing compared to Carter's. He was obsessed with being seen as a hard-ass, but other time Kat broke down those defences and the Carter that was reborn was a man that any woman would want, including me.

Their relationship was intense, drama filled and certainly filled with sex. But I couldn't have loved them more if I tried. It reminded me of Travis and Abby's relationship from Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire and it certainly holds the appeal of 50 Shades of Grey fans. This may be the book of the year for me, and I cannot wait to get my hands on An Ounce of Hope.

I was sent an ARC from the publishers for an honest review

Pre-order the book (Waterstones) | Pre-order the book (Book Depository)

Favourite Books of 2015 So Far! | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday was created by GingerReadsLainey

 

 

A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jordan

 

I recently read this book and it became a favourite of mine this year. It's definitely a thrilling, steamy ride and shows New Adult at it's best!

 

 

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

 

This book broke my heart and made me see sense at the same time. I connected personally to this story and Gayle Forman wrote a satisfying story for a taboo subject.

 

 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas 

 

I really, really loved this story. It was purely magical and thrilling. Ps, Tamlin, Lucien and Rhysand are mine!

 

 

Confess by Colleen Hoover

 

I actually read this within 4 hours, one sitting. I adored it. Colleen Hoover really knows how to write a story that packs a punch to the gut. Literally! I was crying after 10 pages.

 

 

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

 

This book is just....perfect. It's a fun, quick read that's never-ending of magical scenery and time travel. Plus it's also great to have a snarky Heroine with 2 comedic friends.

 

 

 

What are your top 5 favourite books of 2015 so far?

Let me know in the comments.

Monthly Reading Wrap Up | May 2015

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver - 4 Stars

I really enjoyed Vanishing Girls. It was a very mysterious, confusing read that had my complete attention for the entire novel. It was a little slow at parts, but the ending was very well done.

The Heir by Kiera Cass - 3.5 Stars

I had mixed views on this book because there's not much world building in The Selection series, but I think it was a strong 4th book. Eadlyn was, at most, a brat but her character growth was amazing. The best thing about this series are the guys, they're so swoon worthy!

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - 4 Stars

I really thought this book was very well done, especially for a debut novel. It was dark, intense and left me hanging on for a second book.

A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson - 4.5 Stars

I actually think that this is New Adult done at it's best. Originally it was a Twilight Fan Fiction, but I was too immersed in the story to even recognise any similarities. Carter was a hard ass, sweet heart (It'll make sense when you read it) and I cannot wait for the second book in this series.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 3.5 Stars

This was my second time reading City of Bones and while I didn't love it as much as the first time, I certainly enjoyed it. Cassandra Clare writes incredibly relatable and modern characters that have you wishing that you were them. I just wished that she hadn't used so many descriptions when describing one object.

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury - DNF'd

I expected quite a lot from this book, but I didn't get any of what I expected. There was no action, no kick-ass characters and I got bored. I left it hanging at 38%.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - DNF'd

I read 30 pages, but honestly wasn't feeling it. I couldn't relate to the main character, Mare and I just didn't care enough about her story to continue reading. If you like Fantasy then you should like it, but like I have said over and over, Fantasy is a genre that doesn't connect very well with me.

 

E-BOOKS

 

 

 

Just One Night by Gayle Forman - 3 Stars

 

It was sweet and cute, but left me feeling somewhat confused. I think I would've liked it better had it only starred Allyson and Willem, not the other side characters as well.

 

Trust in Me by J Lynn / Jennifer L Armentrout - 3 Stars

 

I like Wait For You a lot, especially Cam, but this didn't add anything new for me. I would've liked it more had it starred more scenes of him with his mates, so we got to see him without Avery attached to his hip.

 

The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen - 2 Stars

 

Colleen Hoover said that this was one of her favourites of 2014, so I picked it up for free hoping to like it, but I did not. The writing was too simple, didn't add depth to any of the characters. The romance also left me feeling annoyed rather than obsessed.
 

 

The Escort by Harmony Raines - 3 Stars

 

This was a cute, quick novella read. The characters were okay, but the story felt a little rushed for a novella.

 

The Secretary by Harmony Raines - 3 Stars

 

The story was more controlled and fleshed out than The Escort, which was great, but the romance was....messy. It was up, down, then up and then back down again.

 

 

 

 

How many books did you read in May?

Let me know in the comments.